47th STUS welcomes new commander Published July 10, 2026 By Airman 1st Class Kylie Rabb 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- 47th Student Squadron (STUS) Airmen bid farewell to Lt. Col. Aaron Borszich 47th STUS outgoing commander, and welcomed Lt. Col. Dane Coppini, 47th STUS incoming commander, during a change of command ceremony here, July 10, 2026. Col. Richard Greig, 47th Operations Group commander, presided over the ceremony, noting the pivotal role the 47th STUS plays in generating America’s airpower. “The 47th STUS serves a critical mission,” said Greig. “It mainly develops the next generation of officers, transforming them into sealed aviators and bold leaders who will sustain our nation’s defense through air supremacies for years to come.” During his time in command, Borszich led the squadron through the Air Force’s first major pilot training overhaul in 35 years. Under his leadership, the squadron assumed responsibility for 56% of the undergraduate pilot training syllabus without additional manpower, implemented innovative scheduling solutions that increased training capacity and developed a student management application that streamlined operations, reducing administrative workload and improving accountability for more than 800 students. “I took command 18 short months ago with the following charge., Give me your trust. Lend me some of your grace. Together we’ll do great things for our nation and our families,” said Borszich. “ I’m proud to say we’ve done exactly that,; and thank you for following through on that charge with me.” Borszich, who will serve as the Air Refueling Division chief at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, has served as the 47th STUS commander since Jan. 17, 2025. “Thank you all. It has been the honor of a lifetime. I have loved being your commander.” said Borszich. Coppini previously served as director of operations for the 47th STUS. Prior to arriving at Laughlin, he served in the Air Force Special Operations Command, where he accumulated more than 2,300 combat flight hours supporting high-risk operations. As the new commander of the 47th STUS, Coppini now leads the organization responsible for developing more than 790 newly commissioned officers each year as they prepare to begin Undergraduate Pilot Training. “I am pumped and excited for the next two years,” said Coppini. “I’ve seen the hard work that the students and the STUS have put in the last year and a half as the director of operations, and I have no doubt we’re going to do even better in the next few years. I truly believe we have the best students in AETC.” Since its activation in 1972, the 47th STUS has played a vital role in Laughlin’s pilot training mission, preparing newly commissioned officers for the challenges of military aviation while supporting the development of the next generation of Air Force leaders.